Comparative Analysis of India’s Tier-1 Cities Climate Vulnerability Assessment

The present study conducts a comparative analysis of India’s eight Tier-1 cities, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune, for their climate vulnerability assessment. The secondary data was collected from the India Meteorological Department and published climate vulnerability atlas to draw the relative importance index (RII) score for each exposure indicator of climate vulnerability for each city on the ten climate parameters, including earthquake, rainfall, wind, thunderstorm, cyclone, drought, floods, heatwave, cold wave vulnerabilities. The cities based on inland and coastal boundaries were also considered in scoring calculations. The study’s findings indicate that Chennai and Mumbai are the most vulnerable cities, primarily due to extreme weather events and sea-level rise, necessitating targeted adaptation strategies. Bengaluru shows lower vulnerability, reflecting its resilient infrastructure and proactive measures. Mid-range vulnerabilities are observed for Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune, highlighting diverse challenges from heat waves to flooding. Hyderabad’s relatively lower score suggests moderate risk yet underscores the importance of continuous infrastructure improvement. The comparative analysis offers critical insights for urban planners and policymakers to develop tailored climate resilience strategies, emphasising sustainable infrastructure, community preparedness, and proactive urban design to mitigate climate risks and foster sustainable development across these urban conglomerates. The study serves as a foundational step towards enhancing the climate resilience of India’s major cities.